Authorities have confirmed that a fifth person has died following a massive multi-vehicle crash on Interstate 25 near Pueblo, Colorado, on Tuesday morning.
The Colorado State Patrol reported that the latest victim passed away at a hospital, bringing the total fatalities to five. The fifth victim has been identified by the Pueblo County Coroner’s Office as Thomas Thayer of Rye. Previous victims included David Kirscht and his son Scott L. Kirscht of Walsenburg, Mary Sue Thayer of Rye, and Karen Ann Marsh of Pueblo.
The crash involved more than 30 vehicles on both northbound and southbound lanes of I-25. Officials said the majority of vehicles were involved in a northbound pileup that included passenger cars, seven semi-trucks, and a pickup truck hauling a trailer with animals. The southbound crash primarily resulted in property damage.
Maj. Brian Lyons explained that strong winds combined with dry terrain created a “brown out” on the interstate, significantly reducing visibility and contributing to the collision. Survivors described the sudden storm and limited visibility as a key factor in the crash.
Officials confirmed that 29 people sustained injuries in the northbound crash, ranging from minor to serious, with seven patients arriving at hospitals with significant injuries and one in critical condition.
Emergency responders, local hospitals, and community agencies coordinated to manage the scene. Pueblo County School District 70 provided buses to transport injured parties, while hospitals activated emergency protocols to treat a high volume of patients. Mike Cafasso said staff worked together to ensure resources, supplies, and personnel were fully available.
Animals in one of the damaged trailers were also rescued with assistance from the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region. The trailer contained 30 sheep and a goat. While most of the animals were safely recovered and reunited with their owner, four sheep were too severely injured to survive.
Traffic on I-25 south of Pueblo has since reopened. Authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the crash, including weather conditions, vehicle involvement, and other contributing factors.
The Colorado Department of Transportation noted that a “high wind caution” alert was issued after the crashes occurred. Officials emphasized that the crash happened before the advisory and there were no lane closures in effect at the time.
Investigators urge anyone with additional information about the incident to contact the Colorado State Patrol. Updates will be shared as the investigation continues.